In order to
give you a better ‘feel’ for the kind of people Paul was dealing with in
Corinth you will find it very helpful to read at least chapter one of his First
Letter to the Corinthians, a letter he wrote in response to some of the ‘goings
on’ in that church after he had left it. It shows how much is needed not just
in founding a church but in keeping it on the straight and narrow when there
are so many adverse influences both internal and external that can undermine
it.
1. Why do
you think Paul went to Corinth, given its terrible reputation as a centre of
depravity and the worship of Mamon?
2. Why do
you think Aquilla and Priscilla welcomed Paul into their home? What might have
motivated them?
3. How easy
do you find ‘arguing with and convincing’ (v4) people about Jesus and their
need for salvation? Have you ever been pleasantly surprised either by your own
courage or by people’s responses? How should we ‘argue’ with people? Do we need
to do so today?
4. What is
at the heart of Paul’s message? (See also 1 Corinthians Chapters 1&2) How
would you put the message today to someone who asked you what Christianity is
all about?
5. What do
you make of verse 6 and Paul’s actions and response? What does this say about
Paul and his calling?
6. How many
instances of encouragement can you find in the passage that convinced Paul to
stay in Corinth? In what ways have you found encouragement as a Christian to
keep going when things are tough?
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